Around 800 packed inside
Bury Parish
Church to honour the murdered Woolwich soldier while large crowds listened to the service outside

Thousands
turned out for the funeral of murdered Woolwich soldier Lee Rigby
in Bury Parish
Church today.

The
heartbroken family of Fusilier Rigby were among around 800 people packed inside
the church to honour the 25-year-old in a private funeral relayed via
loudspeakers to large crowds outside.

The
town of Bury,
which has strong links to the Army, was full of old and not-so-old former
soldiers in their regimental uniforms and proudly wearing their campaign
medals.

Prime
Minister David Cameron and Mayor of London Boris Johnson were also in
attendance at the service for Fusilier Rigby, killed as he returned to Woolwich
barracks in south-east London from the Tower of London on May 22.

He
had served in Afghanistan
as a machine gunner and was attached to the regimental recruiting team when he
was hacked to death in broad daylight in the street.

The
drummer's comrades in the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (2RRF) were
warmly applauded as they arrived at the church, as were Fusilier veterans.

In
his eulogy to Fusilier Rigby, his commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Jim
Taylor spoke of an "extremely popular soldier" who was known as
"Riggers" to his friends.

He
said: "A larger-than-life personality, he loved to perform and belonged in
the Second Fusiliers' Corps of Drums.

"He
was truly charismatic. To be with Lee was to be where it was most fun - the
centre of good times and much mischief.

"People
fell quickly under his spell. Whether it was in work or off duty, at a
ceremonial engagement or on operations, Lee just knew how to lighten the
mood."

Lt
Col Taylor said Fusilier Rigby joined the Army in 2006 on his third attempt,
fulfilling his lifelong ambition, and it was "an early indication of how
doggedly determined he was when he set his mind to something".

Despite
a passion for Westlife and other boybands, he had no musical background and no
musical skills but went on to become one of the best drummers in the battalion.

In
London with the Second Fusiliers he conducted
ceremonial duties outside Buckingham Palace, Windsor
Castle and the Tower of London.

His
commanding officer said: "As a drummer, the pace of life for Lee was
relentless.

"Through
it all, Lee wore his scarlet tunic with pride. He loved entertaining the crowds
outside the royal palaces."

In
April 2009 he put his drum down and picked up his machine gun when the Second
Fusiliers deployed to Afghanistan,
mourners heard.

It
was a "gruelling tour" for the battalion with seven soldiers killed
in six months.

Lt
Col Taylor said Fusilier Rigby was "under relentless pressure from the
insurgents".

"Lee
proved himself to be dedicated, professional and incredibly brave," he
said.

"He
took part in numerous firefights with the enemy and regularly had to patrol
across ground strewn with improvised explosive devices. His courage was tested
every day. He was not found wanting."

The
soldier's final challenge in the Army was with the Recruiting Group in London, where he also assisted with duties at Regimental
Headquarters in the Tower
of London.

"The
recruiting post was one that required just the characteristics that Lee
possessed and had shown in spades in the short time he had served with the
Fusiliers - namely, soldiering ability and charisma coupled with a cheeky
outgoing personality that naturally endeared him to potential recruits.

"Based
out of Woolwich, he helped to inspire many young people to join the armed
forces.

Fusilier
Rigby's coffin, draped in the Union flag and with his bearskin on top, was
borne out of the church by six pall bearers in ceremonial scarlet tunics and
placed in the hearse for his final journey.

His
wife Rebecca, 30, mother Lyn, 46, stepfather Ian, 54, and Rebecca's mother,
Susan Metcalfe, 60, watched from the steps as did his two-year-old son Jack, wearing a T-shirt with the tribute "My Daddy My Hero".

A
private committal followed the service which was attended only by close family
and friends.

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